So what’s all this fuss about the plans to make us teach for another five years?

I may be a fairly young headteacher at merely half my mum’s age, but turning around a failing school into a very successful one has obviously taken its toll: the grey hairs are beginning to appear already.

Last week, for example, one of my reception class pupils stated quite categorically “You are too old to be a headmaster!” “Why?” I foolishly enquired. Back came the stinging reply “Because it’s a very, very long time since you were little like me.”

So if I am really am as old as I feel, then I’m not going to get a chance of dying on the job. Rather I reckon I can retire at the end of this term.

Whooppee!

Steve Williamson Headteacher St Stephen’s C of E primary school Dorset Road Lambeth, London SW8